60pc of wind-energy firms to seek engineers and construction workers next year

The wind-energy sector, which already employs 3,400 people in Ireland and expects to invest €4.7bn between now and 2020, says 60pc of its members will be seeking construction and engineering workers in the year ahead.

The wind-energy sector in Ireland is looking to attract skilled construction workers and engineers for a variety of roles across the industry as preparations are made for a significant increase in build out which will see €4.7bn invested in onshore wind-energy projects between now and 2020.

“We estimate that 2014 and 2015 will see a significant growth in the wind-energy sector as we look to double the production of clean indigenous and renewable energy.

“The economic benefits of this growth will be reaped at a national level, but also at local level where job opportunities will become available across a multitude of trade disciplines within the construction industry.”

The observations were made at a seminar, ‘Construction Opportunities in Wind Energy’, hosted by the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA), in association with the Construction Industry Federation.

The event heard that 2014 is poised to be a record year in terms wind power development.

Through its Wind Skillnet programme, IWEA has run more than 30 seminars and workshops over the past two years aimed at upskilling and reskilling those either within, or hoping to join the wind sector.